SP proposes fully electronic voting by 2029, Balla: The era of partisan counters is over, it’s a Stalinist practice

In a calm atmosphere, completely different from the previous session marked by egg throwing and insults, the Socialist majority deputies appeared in Parliament. Security was at maximum level, with the outer perimeter of the parliament blocked by metal barriers and numerous police forces positioned for any possible scenario.

With the absence of Democratic Party representatives, the session’s attention was captured by Redi Muçi from “Lëvizja Bashkë” and Erald Kapri from “Mundësia”. It was during the review of the draft resolution for the CEC that the Socialists revealed their objective to extend electronic voting to 100% of the country in the 2029 elections.

Gjiknuri stated that despite an unprecedented hysteria surrounding electronic counting, the political forces themselves have been the ones demanding more technology in the process. He added that the executive has long shown the will to finance a fully electronic system for the next general elections.

Then, the head of the Socialist parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, emphasized the necessity to put an end once and for all to the practice of ballot counting by partisan representatives. He stated that this period belongs to the past and stressed that he shares the same opinion as the protesting citizens who have demanded changes to the electoral code. According to him, it is completely Stalinist that after 36 years of pluralism, parties continue to control the vote counting.

The debate intensified further when Erald Kapri of “Mundësia” intervened, mentioning the stabilization-association meeting in Strasbourg. Balla’s reaction was strong and direct, accusing Kapri of having requested intervention during the diaspora vote counting process to protect his votes. Balla declared that he holds the evidence on his phone and challenged Kapri to swear otherwise, describing his behavior as cowardly and telling him he should feel ashamed.

The echo of the protests of recent weeks was felt again in the Parliament hall. Socialist deputies blocked with red cards a request for interpellation with the Minister of Interior, Besfort Lamallari, which had been filed by deputy Erald Kapri.